Diseases of the brain, stories from the heart

Local hero Joanne Lord, clinical research coordinator at U of M, shares her experiences working with Alzheimer’s patients in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living with Alzheimer’s & Other Dementias. Her essay “When Research Becomes a Passion” reveals the importance of connecting to patients on a personal level: how to connect, letting patients know you care, and inevitably, how to say goodbye. “Some people call Alzheimer’s disease the longest goodbye and now I know why,” laments Lord in her personal essay. She refers to her patients as “loved ones,” telling the story of one man who continued to recognize her and smile in her presence while his memory loss set in. Lord’s essay, as well as several others featured in the book, provide support to those affected by individuals with dementia.

Just some lyrics from a composition called “Endings” by award-winning jazz vocalist Estar Cohen; and this propulsive image aptly fits for her music career, as each year since her 2015 graduation from the University of Toledo has gotten busier, faster, more exciting. You can add lyricist, arranger and educator to her resume, as well as

“can’t hold on // I can feel time as it bends…” Just some lyrics from a composition called “Endings” by award-winning jazz vocalist Estar Cohen; and this propulsive image aptly fits for her music career, as each year since her 2015 graduation from the University of Toledo has gotten busier, faster, more exciting. You can

Sometimes we need a little pick me up, and what’s better for that than booze? Whether you need a break from homework or you’re craving something after classes, the best time to get a drink is during the hours when it’s discounted. Your wallet agrees.

Enjoy delicious brunch items and a mimosa while you and your friends hash out the details and relive funny stories from the night before. Or better yet, bring your parents when they come to visit, since they will be picking up the bill.